Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Mufti questions intention of Govt to hold ULBs polls

Lambasting Omar Abdullah led coalition regime for eroding sanctity of democratic institutions in State, patron of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Mufti today questioned intention of the State Government to hold Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections. He regretted that instead of taking some steps to strengthen democracy at grass root level, the State Government was looking for excuses to delay the ULB elections.

Addressing a meeting of party workers of Bishnah Assembly segment at Pandorian, PDP patron said elections of Urban Local Bodies including Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations were scheduled to be held in the month of February 2010 but Government has been postponing these elections with one or other excuse.

"I failed to understand why Government is shying away from its duty to conduct these elections. Formation of Urban Local Bodies are must to empower the people of urban areas", he remarked and added that in a democratic system it was necessary to make representative character of all democratic institutions to ensure people's participation in these institutions.

Taking a dig at coalition regime for not fulfilling its promises to conducting local bodies elections, Mufti Sayeed pointed out that during the last two years Government has repeatedly announced to conduct these elections but these announcements remained only on papers.

"Even in the Governor Address during the current budget session of the Assembly, the Government has promised to conduct local bodies elections", he recalled but added that no notification has been issued so far which substantiate PDP's apprehensions that this regime was not interested in conducting local bodies elections.

PDP patron also flayed coalition regime for not empowering the Panchayats. "Those demanding greater autonomy for the State are hesitating even to delegate powers to the duly elected Panchayats", he said and pointed out that almost one year has passed after completion of Panchayat elections but neither block Smities nar Zila Committees have been constituted.

PDP patron warned that his party would strongly oppose gimmick of the ruling NC to undermine institutions and to control these institutions through deceit tactics. "We will agitate for strengthening democratic institutions in the state", he asserted.

Speaking on the occasion, former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beig said that eroding democratic institutions and controlling such institutions through illegal means was history of the NC. "Since 1947, successive NC regime has been propagating divisive politics to remain in power", he said and added that wrong policies adopted by the NC were responsible for all ills in the State.

He regretted that for petty political gains, NC leadership has always tried to create division between people of different regions. "It was only after 2002 when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed became Chief Minister of the State some sincere efforts were made to bridge the gap", he said.